"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God"

BIBLE READING: 2 Timothy 3

Literally the words stand, all Scripture, God-breathed and profitable, a remarkable expression, reminding us of the early record, "God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living soul."  The breath of God has entered these holy words, and they live.

God's instruction is given so that we are well-supplied with knowledge, understanding, inspiration, and motivation to live by faith. Yielding to God's sovereignty is not merely the rationale for divine government. Doctrine means "teaching," and it is by these teachings that the great realities of our God are revealed to us. We are spiritually nourished by doctrine, and as we apply it, growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ occurs.

A couple of easily understood scriptures help us understand how God's Word and living by faith work together to cause growth. Romans 1:16-17 informs us, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."  Add to this Jesus' words in John 6:63: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

Jesus is characterized as the living Word of God. At the most basic level, just like any book, the Bible is simply a collection of words. However, its words are specific instructions from our Creator, God, who is Spirit and inhabits eternity. Because God lives and oversees our lives, the Bible's words are full of dynamic powers.  If we believe them and use them, they will guide us to become like the eternal, spiritual God.

It is impossible to be formed into the image of Christ without His Word in us, because we must voluntarily cooperate with God in His purpose in order for Him to do the forming. The forming must be accompanied by our knowing of and understanding of His will. We must never forget that truth sets free (John 8:32). God's truths set us free, free from ignorance of God and His purpose, free from the power of evil, free from the wiles of Satan, and free from human nature.

The doctrine of God's sovereignty is basic to Christian life.  As we move through a life lived by faith, we must firmly, even absolutely, know where we stand in relation to Him and His purpose, or our human nature will rise up and resist conforming to His will. We must know that He is close, that He is love, that He is wisdom, and that He has power over every situation in our lives. God says through Moses in Deuteronomy 8:3, "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."

Notice how God's supplying manna, symbolic of food and therefore implying eating, shows a spiritual need met in the wilderness. God's Word is just as essential to spiritual life as food is to physical life.  Just as physical health will decline without adequate food, an inadequate spiritual diet will lead to spiritual weakness and disease.

God provides the Bible to promote righteous living and to motivate us to subdue our carnal nature to His will. A major effect of seeking God and grasping His sovereignty is that it will promote humility by means of the admiration and appreciation gained from comparing our insignificant life and character to His.